Moving to and living in Macau

Macau is an interesting city known for its many casinos, we have all the information for people who want to move there for work.

Posted on

7 July 2014

|Last updated on 20 September 2017

Macau has an interesting heritage having both Chinese and Portuguese roots. For a small city, Macau sure has a lot going on. It is the known as the Vegas of Asia with a multitude of casinos where gambling is the order of the day. Macau is also one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, and is home to many expats. Despite having a population of just over half a million people, Macau has its own airport. It is a hop, skip and a jump away from the more metropolitan Hong Kong. Residents recommend using the public transport in Macau as traffic is terrible and parking is very expensive.

We have some great information for anyone who is planning to move to Macau including:

International Ladies Club of Macau
The International Ladies' Club of Macau (ILCM) has a 30 year history of organizing fantastic fundraising events and social activities for its members… and provides Community Services and financial aid to over 20 local charities.
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.ilcm.org.mo

Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Through our community-based digital platform and year-round initiatives, we create opportunities for people to forge lifelong friendships, spawn new business ideas, tackle community issues, and enhance our community and professional life.
Phone: 2875 7510
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cancham.org.mo

American Chamber of Commerce
The American Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2007 and stands at the forefront of development in Macau. With new American-based corporations establishing themselves in Macau, we provide insight and business connectivity that is unrivalled by any other international chamber.Phone: 2857.5059
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.amcham.org.mo

France Macau Business Association
The FMBA is a nonprofit organization of business people and professionals from different ways of life with an active interest in developing commercial and trade relations between France within the European Community and Macao within the Pearl River Delta.
Phone: 8798 9699
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.francemacau.com

British Business Association of Macao
The British Business Association of Macao was launched on 20th July 2006 and established to promote and represent British business interests in the region.
Phone: 8798 9697
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.britchammacao.org

Junior Chamber International
Junior Chamber International (JCI), Inc., is a worldwide federation of young professions and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40.
Phone: 2856 5218
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.macaujc.com.mo

The International School of Macau (TIS)
TIS offers a holistic and student-focused approach to education where learning is valued, growth through diversity is encouraged, individual uniqueness respected and personal excellence is fostered by dedicated staff. Enriched programs, the latest technology and a supportive environment all contribute to the education of the whole student.
Curriculum: Canadian
Address: Macau University of Science and Technology (Block K), Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macao
Tel: +853 2853 3700
Fax: +853 2853 3702
Admissions/General enquiries:[email protected]
Website: www.tis.edu.mo

Macau Anglican College
The College is an Anglican Foundation College, which receives professional advice and financial backing from the Anglican Church in Hong Kong. The college also employs a good number of Christian teachers from many Christian denominations. The college promotes and fosters a Christian, positive attitude to learning, tolerance, and a respect for all people of all cultures and faiths. It works closely with the Macao Education Department (DSEJ), and also works closely with all school parents who are also represented by an active, supportive Parent – School Association
Curriculum: Macau Education System
Address: 109-117 Avenida Padre Tomas Pereira, Taipa - Macau
Tel: +853 2885 0000
Fax: +853 2885 0022
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.acm.edu.mo

School of the Nations
As an integral component of the educational programs of the Badi Foundation, the School of the Nations is dedicated to nurturing the physical, intellectual and spiritual development of children and youth, and developing their capabilities to contribute to the well being of their families and communities.
Curriculum: IGCSE
Address: Rua de Minho, Taipa Macau S.A.R.
Tel: +853 2870 1759
Fax: +853 2870 1724
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.schoolofthenations.com

Macao Sam Yuk Middle School
To provide the highest quality Seventh-day Adventist education in grammar school and in vocational training; teaching all who come and training them to become contributing citizens of society.
Address: Rua De Colegio, Taipa, Macao
Tel: +853 2882 5562
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.msy.edu.mo

Macau Daily Times
This English language website provides a mix of hard news and tabloid gossip. It includes aspects of local and international news to keep you both informed and entertained.
Website: www.macaudailytimes.com.mo

Everyone who works in Macau must be registered as a full time employee and carry a blue card. Your company will undertake this process. If you wish to be a resident of Macau there are a few steps that you can take towards processing a residency visa. Usually expats are issued with a non-permanent resident’s card, which gives them the same rights as permanent residents. Non-permanent residents will have to reside in Macau for 7 years before they are granted permanent residency status.

In order to apply for you work permit and permanent residence you will need some documentation such as your passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate among others.

Macau residents can exchange their driving license for a Macau one through an easy process at the Transport Bureau.

Required documents:
• Mod. No. 3A (available at the Service Counters of the Transport Bureau or download from the Transport Bureau website)
• Mod. No. 011/DLC (available at the Service Counters of the Transport Bureau or download from the Transport Bureau website)
• Original copy of the driver’s medical certificate
• Two photocopies of the valid foreign driving license or original copy of the valid foreign driving license (if it is obliged by the competent authority)
• One distinct photocopy of the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card
• Two 1.5 inches recent color photos (with white background)
• To show the original copy of the valid foreign driving license
• To show the original copy of the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card

It is not recommended for expats to drive in Macau as the roads tend to be congested and the parking prices are quite high. Most expats get around by bus and the public transport system is faultless. To find out more about the public transport in Macau see this website>>

Almost everyone in Macau lives in an apartment and new expats will require the assistance of a real estate agent in order to choose an apartment. Many apartments are furnished and have basic appliances such as a fridge and washing machine. However lots of apartments do not have an oven, which means that you will have to buy one. Most expats opt for a countertop stove rather than a large one.

There are 9 residential areas in Macau; Border Gate, Ilha Verde, Areia Preta, Horta e Costa, Coronel Mesquita, Ferreira do Amaral, Fai Chi Kei, San Kio, Patane e Sao Paulo; it is best for the estate agent to go through the benefits of living in each area. Here are some estate agents who speak English and will be able to assist you with the move:

The healthcare in Macau is generally quite good and is serviced by one public and two private hospitals. Macau has a universally accessible single-payer system funded by taxes collected by the government from corporations and residents. Currently none of the hospitals based in Macau have international healthcare accreditation. In addition to the hospitals, there are many health care centres that provide free basic medical care to their residents. Consultation in traditional Chinese medicine is also available. Residents of Macau are provided with free healthcare, expats have to have insurance.

Insurance in Macau

It is recommended to have health insurance as an expat, some banks in Macau offer hospital plans to cover more expensive procedures.

Hospital Kiang Wu (private)
Hospital Kiang Wu, a privately owned hospital located in Macau Peninsula, is one of three hospitals in Macau, China. Founded in 1871, the hospital is run by the Kiang Wu Charitable Association and offered Chinese medical services. Renowned doctor Sun Yat-Sen brought Western medicine services to the hospital. The hospital has had four different sites, the last built in 2000.
Address: Estrada Coelho do Amaral, Macau
Phone: +853 2837 1333
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kwh.org.mo (you will need to use Google Translate to view the website)

Macau University of Science & Technology Hospital (public)
The hospital focuses on both Chinese and Western medicine, and is associated with the University’s Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine. However, there are currently no western-style medical schools in Macau and thus all aspiring physicians in Macau have to obtain their education and qualification elsewhere.
Address: Block H, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau
Tel:(853) 28821838
Fax:(853) 28821788
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.uh.org.mo

Healthcare Clinics
There are many healthcare clinics in Macau that offer a wide range of health and clinical services and where English is widely spoken:

Hope Medical Group
At HOPE, our physicians are able to meet your family's health needs from newborn to geriatric care. Our clinics are staffed by US, US-trained Chinese physicians who are dedicated to providing high quality Western healthcare to the people of Macau.
Address: 24-26 Ave. de Sidonio Pais, 1-D Fu Wah Court, Macau
Tel: +853 2858 9000
Website: www.hopemacau.com

Malo Clinic Health & Wellness
TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital introduces a new wellness concept to Asia, is one of the world’s largest centers of its kind and is comprised of a day hospital and a spa.
Address: Level 5, The Grand Canal Shoppes, Venetian Resort Macao
Tel: +853 8862 2688
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.maloclinics.com.mo